Kitchen Accessory Spotlight 2010: Presto Griddle

I've decided to start doing a spotlight on the numerous kitchen accessories that turned my life around in 2010.  2010 was the birth year for my kitchen.  I've had a few before, but those were of darker times and back then, I hardly utilized them anyway.  I cooked at work, didn't want to do it at home.  But last year was different.  Things took a drastic change for the better and my kitchen became a big focus in my life.

I started out with very little.  I did everything by hand, cooked food in either stove or on the oven and that was it.  Eventually my kitchen began to grow.  I picked up an accessory here and there, when I could afford it, and things were also gifted to me as well.  Now, while I'm still a bit short of having a real kick!@# kitchen, I still like to think that my tiny little space in my tiny little apartment, is actually something to brag about.

The spotlight isn't really about bragging, its actually a thank you to the items that have helped me become a better cook.  Also, to the companies that make them.  It's a recommendation as well.  If you don't have these in your kitchen, I strongly suggest getting them- or at least something like them.

Today, I want to look at my griddle.  My mother sent me the griddle for my birthday back in December.  A little late in 2010, but it's still been a big help in my kitchen.  I use it any chance I can instead of my stove because I'm not very fond of my stove.  I can't seem to get it level and the burners are so small it's almost impossible to get even heat.  So, the griddle has come in very handy.

I I got the smaller cool touch griddle with a drip pan.  I don't think the one in the link on the right is the exact one, but either way, I'm sure it's close.   This thing has been a lifesaver.  Before, on nights like grilled cheese night, or when we do quesadillas, or even pancakes, I could only do one at a time.  Now, I'm belting out the whole family's snacks or dinners in one quick go!

 

It's easy to use, store, and wash.  All of the electronics stuff pops out the side, leaving everything else completely submersible for washing. It offers an even heat, so your grilled cheese sandwiches wont come out only half-toasted.  And it even has a wonderful drip pan, so say you're cooking bacon and eggs in the morning.  You can cook up your bacon, catch all of the grease in the drip pan, and then use that same grease to cook your eggs.  Viola, nummy bacony eggs.

The presto griddle has made cooking so fast, and cleaning even faster.  I use it, wash it, and store it standing up with my cookie sheets, ready to be used again (later in the day I'm sure.)  So, thank you, Mom, for the ever-so-helpful gift!

 

What is a quesadilla? 

I'm sure everyone knows, but I kinda want to tell it anyway.   A quesadilla is literally, queso in a tortilla.  Or, cheese in a tortilla.  The simplest of quesadillas are made simply by:

• buttering one side of a tortilla
• putting it on a hot griddle, butter side down
• sprinkle cheese on half of it
• fold over
• toast on both sides

The fun part is adding other ingredients.  I find quesadillas as a good way of using up leftovers.  In the picture I showed earlier, I was using up leftover chicken from one I had roasted a day prior.  I added a little cilantro, and bam, delicious leftovers.  Pico-de-gallo is a good addition as well.  Add whatever you want!  It's great for a snack, or lunch, or dinner!  Instead of folding the tortilla, use two and sandwich them together for a bigger quesadilla.